"Even though I didn't have any experience competing in these type of events, I accepted this as a challenge against myself," Corbett said. "I knew it was a race against myself, not against other people. That is how I looked at it."

Corbett said, "being a fireman allowed me to be mentally strong and physically ready to accomplish this goal."

Corbett said his fireman training in 1998 got him hooked on difficult endeavors.

"It's a physically demanding job," Corbett said. "That turned me on to it. I did sports like mountain biking, hiking and running. Anything that allowed me to be active."

None of those activities, however, were done on a competitive scale.

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Then 2012 arrived and Corbett embraced the idea of endurance events. He took part in two events, one in Indio and one in San Diego, that served as his "tuneups" for Ironman Arizona.

"When you really look at it, I thought it was insanity," Corbett said. "But I really like the discipline involved, the structure and concentration it takes. And just that it is hard work."

And Corbett was challenged when he heard of the large numbers of competitors that aren't able to finish these events.

"I'm not sure of the statistics but I did take it on as a challenge," Corbett said. "And you really need a complete buy-in from your family. My wife was nothing but supportive. And my three kids, I want to be an inspiration to them."

He went to Lake Arrowhead to train for the swim portion of the event.

"That was a little intimidating," Corbett said of the swim in open water. "They say it's the best workout for your body. But you have to be mentally ready for it."

Corbett, who worked back-to-back 24-hour shifts this week, trained before his shifts.

"It was a big year for me," Corbett said. "It's a big accomplishment. It's been fun. The whole structure of just trying to train was good. The guys at work have been nothing but supportive and pushed me along the way."